Portable, Compact and Multi-Function Mat With Integrated Pouch

ABSTRACT

A multi-function mat described herein is constructed of fabric and fasteners that can be contained in an integrated set pocket, which converts to a pouch for transporting. The mat may consist of water-repellant thin and flexible material. The mat is an indoor and outdoor portable and foldable mat, layer, blanket, or cover for sitting at picnics, sporting events, beach, travel, other recreational activities. When contained, the mat may be compact enough to fit into an adult hand and easily transported.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/909,285 filed on Nov. 26, 2013 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/051,936 filed on Sep. 17, 2014.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to a portable, compact, multi-functional mat with an integrated pouch. This mat may be marketed under the name RESTOPRESTO™.

BACKGROUND

Portable mats and portable personal coverings are each well-known in the prior art. Portable mats allow users to place a piece of material between the user and a potentially unsanitary surface that the user may not want to touch such as a public seat, baby changing table, floor, grass, sand or ground. Portable personal coverings provide an added layer of protection for the user in the event of inclement weather or low temperature and can be used as an extra garment such as a head covering. Portable personal coverings also are useful in situations in which personal items are limited, such as transportation (plane, train, bus) or sporting events at which there are security measures.

Several attempts have been made to combine the functionality of a portable mat with a portable covering in a single solution. Such legacy products are too large or bulky such that portability is difficult because they must be carried on the user's back or shoulder.

One legacy product is the MONKEY MAT, a portable surface having weighted corners that can be stored in an attached pouch. The Monkey Mat does not provide a complete solution due to certain aspects of its functionality. The weighted corners of the Monkey Mat reduce its convenience. The Monkey Mat also cannot be used as a head or shoulder covering and that mat itself lacks the ability to create a pocket because it lacks fasteners. Other prior art mats are similarly unable to be arranged in various temporary configurations for personal use.

Accordingly, there is a need of a solution for a portable, compact mat that can be used both for sitting or lying down and can be temporarily configured for personal wear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an improved portable compact mat in an open configuration, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is an inset diagram of a pocket integrated within the improved portable compact mat, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an improved portable compact mat in a compact configuration, in accordance with some embodiments.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The multi-function mat described herein is constructed of fabric and fasteners that can be contained in an integrated pocket, which converts to a pouch for transporting the mat. The mat may consist of water-repellant thin and flexible material. The mat may be used indoors and outdoors as a portable and foldable mat, layer, blanket, or cover for sitting at picnics, sporting events, beach, travel or other recreational activities. The mat may be used as: 1) a short-term shield from weather elements and indoor and outdoor temperatures on or over the body; or 2) an indoor and outdoor portable and foldable mat, layer, blanket, or cover for unsanitary surfaces for adult, child or baby.

The mat may be unfolded quickly from its pouch and then quickly stuffed/folded/compacted back into its pouch to be stored. When compacted and contained in its integrated pouch, the mat may be compact enough to fit into an adult hand and may be transported seamlessly inside or outside (via fastener) of a carrier. As such, the mat may provide the user with a convenient water-repellent apparatus that delivers an instant solution for multiple scenarios both planned and unplanned.

Turning to FIG. 1, shown is the front side of a mat 10 having an integrated pocket 200 in a substantially rectangular shape in a fully open configuration. The mat 10 may be made of any lightweight material that allows flexibility and ease of manipulation. Such materials may include one or more of animal-based materials (byssus, chiengora, qiviut, yak, rabbit, wool, lambswool, cashmere wool, mohair wool, camel hair, alpaca/vicuna/guanaco/llama wool, angora wool, silk), plant-based materials (abacá, coir, cotton, flax, jute, kapok, kenaf, raffia, bamboo, hemp, modal, piña, ramie, sisal), mineral-based materials (fiberglass) and synthetic-based materials (rayon (viscose), acetate, tencel, polyester, aramid, acrylic, ingeo, luminex, lurex, lyocell, nylon, spandex (lycra), olefin, polylactide).

The mat 10 may have different finishes or treatments on each side. In one embodiment, the mat 10 consists of polyester with a soft sanded finish on one side and a soft shiny finish on the reverse side. In one embodiment, the mat 10 is designed that the soft sanded finish is intended to be placed next to the body of the user. In one embodiment, the mat is machine-washable. In one embodiment, the mat is hand-washable. In one embodiment, the material of the mat is water-repellant, water-resistant or water-proof.

Although the mat 10 is shown in a rectangular shape, it may be in any suitable shape that allows for the manipulation as described herein, including circular, triangular, square, pentagon or irregular. In one embodiment, the mat 10 is rectangular and measures approximately 57″×31″.

Hem overlays 20, 30 are built in the shorter opposite ends of the mat to allow the passage of material along the length of the top and bottom of the short sides of the mat 10. Secured within the top hem overlay 20 is a top cord 40 that extends within the length of the hem overlay. At the ends of the top cord 40 are secured a top left elastic cord lock 50 and a top right elastic cord lock 60. The cord locks may be secured in such a manner to allow for a top left cord loop 62 to extend beyond the top left elastic cord lock 50 and for a top right cord loop 64 to extend beyond the top right elastic cord lock 60.

Similarly, secured within the bottom hem overlay 30 is a bottom cord 70. At the ends of the bottom cord 70 are secured a bottom left elastic cord lock 80 and a bottom right elastic cord lock 90. The cord locks may be secured in such a manner to allow for a bottom left cord loop 100 to extend beyond the top left elastic cord lock 80 and for a top right cord loop 110 to extend beyond the top right elastic cord lock 90.

The top cord 40 and the bottom cord 70 may be of any suitable material, whether flexible, elastic or inelastic and may be made of the materials listed above for the mat 10. The top cord 40 and bottom cord 70 may be in a single-strand formation, a double-strand formation that forms a loop, or other suitable formations within the hem overlays 20, 30. The top cord 40 and bottom cord 70 may be secured by any suitable securing mechanism outside the mat fabric so that the top cord 40 and bottom cord 70 do not unintentionally fall out of the hem overlays 20, 30. The top cord 40 and bottom cord 70 may be constructed so that when they are extended beyond the confines of the mat 10 and secured by a securing mechanism, the hem overlay bends the mat 10 around the shortened hem overlay producing a “scrunching” effect.

The top cord 40 and bottom cord 70 may be tied to each other or to other objects (optionally using the cord loops 62, 64, 100, 110). This will allow the mat 10 to hang down from the object it is tied to (if tied once) or hang across the ground or objects that it is tied to (if tied two or more times). In another embodiment, stakes can be used to secure on or more corners of the mat 10 to the ground or other surface by being driven through the cord loops 62, 64, 100, 110 and into the ground or other surface.

Although the hem overlays 20, 30 are shown on the short edges of the mat 10, they can also be placed on the long edges of the mat 10 or any edge of the mat in any configuration.

The mat 10 includes a left gutter 120 and right gutter 130 that run down the long edges of the mat 10. A plurality of left-side fasteners 140 a-140 j are secured to the length of the left gutter 120. A plurality of right-side fasteners 150 a-150 j are secured to the length of the right gutter. Any one of the left-side fasteners or right-side fasteners 140 a-140 j, 150 a-150 j may be constructed so as to be attached to one or more of the other fasteners, either on the same mat or another mat.

The left-side fasteners or right-side fasteners 140 a-140 j, 150 a-150 j may be made of any fastening mechanism including: anchor bolt, batten, brass fastener, buckle, button, cable tie, captive fastener, clamp, clasp, clip, clutch, drawing pin (thumbtack), flange, frog, grommet, hook-and-eye closure, hook and loop fastener, latch, nail, pegs, clothespin, pins, safety pin, bowtie cotter pin, circle cotter, clevis fastener, cotter, dowel, linchpin, R-clip, split pin, spring pin, tapered pin, retaining rings, circlip, e-ring, rivet, rubber band (or bands of other materials), screw anchor, snap fastener, staple, stitches, strap, threaded fastener, captive threaded fasteners, nut, screw, threaded insert, threaded rod, tie, toggle bolt, treasury tag, twist tie, wedge anchor and zipper.

While ten fasteners are shown on the left side and ten fasteners are shown on the right side, any suitable number of fasteners can be installed with varying distances on any side of the mat 10. If applicable, fasteners may be in the male or female configuration.

In one embodiment, the left-side fasteners and right-side fasteners 140 a-140 j, 150 a-150 j may consist of snap fasteners. In another embodiment, the left-side fasteners and right-side fasteners 140 a-140 j, 150 a-150 j may consist of snap fasteners in the following configuration showing the distance for each fastener from the nearest edge incorporating the hem overlays:

Distance from nearest edge Fastener Type (inches) 140a Female 1.75 140b Male 6.625 140c Male 11.5 140d Male 16.375 140e Male 18.625 140f: Female 18.625 140g Female 16.375 140h Female 11.5 140i Female 6.625 140j Male 1.75 150a Male 1.75 150b Female 6.625 150c Female 11.5 150d Female 16.375 150e Female 18.625 150f Male 18.625 150g Male 16.375 150h Male 11.5 150i Male 6.625 150j Female 1.75

The distances between the left-side fasteners and right-side fasteners 140 a-140 j, 150 a-150 j may be chosen so as to allow particular configurations of the mat 10 to be made when one or more of the fasteners are attached to each other. For example, the mat may be used to form an emergency head covering during inclement weather. In such a case, the mat 10 may be designed to have male and female fasteners (such as snap fasteners) secured along the left gutter 120 and right gutter 130 so as to allow the user to choose from multiple potential sizes for the head covering. This can also be accomplished with the additional use of the top cord 40 and the bottom cord 70 that can be pulled to change the shape of the mat 10 and secured with their respect cord locks. Similarly, fastener placement and cord lock placement may allow the mat 10 to be configured: 1) in multiple sleeve sizes for different size users that can be used for a shoulder covering; 2) as a tarp for a baby carriage; 3) a pocket to tuck in the user's feet; or 4) a pillow.

In one embodiment, a larger mat can be constructed by using the fasteners of first mat to connect the fasteners of the second mat. Even larger mats can be constructed with three or more mats connected in a similar fashion.

Turning to FIG. 2, shown is an inset providing further detail of the integrated pocket 200 of the mat 10. A circular stitching 210 secures the pocket layers to the mat 10 and defines the outer contours of the integrated pocket 200. The integrated pocket 200 may consist of a securing loop 250, an inner fabric 235 and an outer fabric 245, all partially secured to the mat 10 as described herein.

The securing loop 250 may be the item that is closest to the surface of the mat 10. As will be shown below, by virtue of being the closest to the surface of the mat 10, the securing loop 250 may be on the outside of the mat 10 when it is stored within the integrated pouch 200.

The next closest item to the surface of the mat 10 is the inner fabric 235. The inner fabric 235 is secured to the mat 10 by the circular stitching 210 so that the inner fabric 235 covers area A and area B of the integrated pocket 200 and does not cover area C. The inner fabric may include an inner fabric lip 230 that is not secured to the surface of the mat 10 and is kept open. This forms a pocket consisting of the surface of the mat 10 as one part of the pocket and the inner fabric 235 as the other part of the pocket, both joined together by the circular stitching 210 over area A and area B and leaving open the space between the inner fabric lip 230 and the mat 10. Contained within this pocket is the securing loop 250.

In order to better secure the gap between the inner fabric lip 230 and the mat 10, the inner fabric lip 230 may be made of elastic or stretchy material such as spandex (lycra), vinyl, velvet, denim, cotton or polyester along with (or in addition to) the materials identified above for the mat 10. Alternatively, the inner fabric lip 230 may be the same material as the rest of inner fabric 235 but have more elastic properties. As will be shown in FIG. 3 below, the elastic nature of the inner fabric lip 230 will also allow the mat 10 to be better secured when in compact form.

The next closest item to the surface of the mat 10 is the outer fabric 245. The outer fabric 245 is secured to the mat 10 by the circular stitching 210 such that the outer fabric 245 covers area B and area C of the integrated pocket 200 and does not cover area A. The outer fabric 245 may include an outer fabric lip 240 that is not secured to the surface of the mat 10 and is kept open. This forms a pocket consisting of the surface of the mat 10 as one part of the pocket and the outer fabric 245 as the other part of the pocket, both joined together by the circular stitching 210 over area B and area C and leaving open the space between the outer fabric lip 240 and the mat 10. Contained within this pocket is the securing loop 250 and the inner fabric 235 along with the inner fabric lip 230.

In order to better secure the gap between the outer fabric lip 240 and the mat 10, the outer fabric lip 240 may be made of elastic or stretchy material such as spandex, vinyl, velvet, denim, cotton or polyester along with (or in addition to) the materials identified above for the mat 10. Alternatively, the outer fabric lip 240 may be the same material as the rest of outer fabric 245 but have more elastic properties. As will be shown in FIG. 3 below, the elastic nature of the outer fabric lip 240 allows the mat 10 to be better secured when in compact form.

The total effect as shown for the integrated pocket 200 is to create an “envelope” opening. Other suitable openings may be created with different shapes of the stitching, inner fabric or outer fabric.

The circular stitching 210 for securing the securing loop 250, the inner fabric 235 and the outer fabric 245 to the mat 10 may consist of any combination of single or multiple securing methodologies using any attaching, stitching, fastening or joining mechanism.

The securing loop 250, inner fabric 235 and outer fabric 245, may consist of thin materials so that when the mat 10 is fully open the user does not notice the additional material within the integrated pocket 200 and the functionality of the mat 10 is unaffected.

Turning to FIG. 3, shown is a diagram of the mat 10 in a fully compact configuration 300 stored within its integrated pocket. This storage may be accomplished by turning the inner fabric 235 inside out so that the inner fabric underside 235 a (which is the other side of the inner fabric 235 shown in FIG. 2) becomes part of the outside of the fully compact configuration 300. Similarly, the outer fabric 245 is turned inside out so that the outer fabric underside 245 a (which is on the other side of the outer fabric 245 shown in FIG. 2) becomes part of the outside of the fully compact configuration. When both the inner fabric 235 and the outer fabric 245 are turned inside out they form a cavity and at least a majority of the rest of the mat 10 can be stuffed into that cavity. In one embodiment, at least 80% of the rest of the mat 10 can be stuffed into that cavity. In one embodiment, all of the rest of the mat 10 can be stuffed into the cavity. The inner fabric lip underside 230 a (which is the other side of the inner fabric lip 230) then stretches to secure the compact configuration 300 together. Depending on the configuration, the outer fabric lip 240 may also stretch to secure the compact configuration 300 together.

An additional feature of securing the compact configuration 300 is that the securing loop 250 may be facing the outside of the compact configuration 300. An optional carabiner 330 may be attached to the securing loop 250 so that the compact configuration 300 may be attached to any hook or other attachment mechanism. Instead of a carabiner, any other suitable securing, hooking or attachment mechanism may be used.

In one embodiment, the compact configuration 300 fits in an adult hand and weighs about 8-9 ounces.

In sum when in compact configuration 300, the exterior is now the interior of the integrated pocket 200. To stuff the mat 10 into its integrated pouch 200, the user may flip the pockets of the integrated pocket 200 inside out and stuff the remainder of the mat 10. There is no folding necessary and there is no right way or wrong way to stuff. The thinness of the mat 10 allows the stuffing to take place without overly stretching the inner fabric lip 230 and the outer fabric lip 240 and allows all features of the mat 10 (including the hem overlays 20, 30, the top cord 40, the bottom cord 70 and the left-side fasteners and right-side fasteners 140 a-140 j, 150 a-150 j) to be secured in the compact configuration 300.

To reverse the compact configuration process, the mat 10 may be easily pulled out of the integrated pouch 200 for quick access. The integrated pouch 200 then forms a pocket as part of the mat.

In a further embodiment, the mat 10 may be branded by customizing the mat 10 with initials, monograms, names, teams, schools, companies and logos.

In a further embodiment, a ball or other device may be temporarily placed within the integrated pocket 200. This allows the user to relax his or her muscles or provide better posture when leaning on or sitting next to the mat 10.

Manufacturing of the mat 10 may be done in a domestic U.S. factory or outside the U.S. Distribution of the mat 10 may be to the retail store, online market, or through mass media such as television and radio.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter. 

I claim:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a mat having an open configuration and a compact configuration, the mat comprising: a first edge and a second edge; a first hem overlay secured to the first edge; a first cord running within the first hem overlay; a second hem overlay secured to the second edge; a second cord running within the second hem overlay; an integrated pocket secured to the mat; wherein the integrated pocket is capable of enclosing a majority of the mat when the mat is in a compact configuration.
 2. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the first edge and the second edge are on opposite sides of the mat.
 3. The apparatus as in claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of fasteners; wherein the mat further comprises a third edge and a fourth edge; wherein the third edge and the fourth edge are on opposite sides of the mat; and wherein the plurality of fasteners comprises a first fastener set secured near the third edge of the mat and a second fastener set secured near the fourth edge of the mat.
 4. The apparatus as in claim 3, further comprising: a first cord lock to movably secure the first cord adjacent to the third edge of the mat; a second cord lock to movably secure the first cord adjacent to the fourth edge of the mat; a third cord lock to movably secure the second cord adjacent to the third edge of the mat; and a fourth cord lock to movably secure the second cord adjacent to the fourth edge of the mat.
 5. The apparatus as in claim 4, further comprising: a first cord loop secured by the first cord lock and extending beyond the corner formed by the first edge of the mat and the third edge of the mat; a second cord loop secured by the second cord lock and extending beyond the corner formed by the first edge of the mat and the fourth edge of the mat; a third cord loop secured by the third cord lock and extending beyond the corner formed by second edge of the mat and the third edge of the mat; and a fourth cord loop secured by the fourth cord lock and extending beyond the corner formed by second edge of the mat and the fourth edge of the mat.
 6. The apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the plurality of fasteners further comprise snap fasteners.
 7. The apparatus as in claim 6, wherein the first fastener set comprises ten snap fasteners and the second fastener set comprises ten snap fasteners
 8. The apparatus as in claim 3: wherein each of the fasteners in the first fastener set has an opposite configuration from a fastener in the second fastener set.
 9. The apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the integrated pocket is in a substantially circular formation.
 10. The apparatus as in claim 9, wherein the integrated pocket further comprises: an inner fabric partially secured to the mat, the inner fabric comprising an inner fabric lip at the edge of the portion of the inner fabric that is not secured to the mat; an outer fabric partially secured to the mat and partially covering the inner fabric when the mat is in an open configuration, the outer fabric comprising an outer fabric lip at the edge of the portion of the outer fabric that is not secured to the mat.
 11. The apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the inner fabric lip comprises an elastic material and the outer fabric lip comprises an elastic material.
 12. The apparatus as in claim 11, further comprising a loop secured to the mat and covered by the inner fabric when the mat is an open configuration.
 13. The apparatus as in claim 12, further comprising a stake for securing the mat to an object through a loop selected from the group consisting of the first cord loop, the second cord loop, the third cord loop and the fourth cord loop.
 14. An apparatus comprising: a mat in a compact configuration, the mat comprising: a first edge and a second edge on the opposite sides of the mat; a first hem overlay secured to the first edge; a first cord running within the first hem overlay; a second hem overlay secured to the second edge; a second cord running within the second hem overlay; and an integrated pocket secured to the mat, wherein the integrated pocket encloses a majority of the mat.
 15. The apparatus as in claim 14, further comprising: a plurality of fasteners; wherein the mat further comprises a third edge and a fourth edge; wherein the third edge and the fourth edge are on opposite sides of the mat; and wherein the plurality of fasteners comprises a first fastener set secured near the third edge of the mat and a second fastener set secured near the fourth edge of the mat.
 16. The apparatus as in claim 15, wherein the integrated pocket is in a substantially circular formation.
 17. The apparatus as in claim 16, wherein the integrated pocket further comprises: an inner fabric partially secured to the mat, the inner fabric comprising an inner fabric lip at the edge of the portion of the inner fabric that is not secured to the mat; an outer fabric partially secured to the mat, the outer fabric comprising an outer fabric lip at the edge of the portion of the outer fabric that is not secured to the mat; wherein the outer fabric partially encompasses the inner fabric.
 18. The apparatus as in claim 17, wherein the inner fabric lip comprises an elastic material and the outer fabric lip comprises an elastic material.
 19. The apparatus as in claim 18, further comprising a securing loop secured to the mat.
 20. The apparatus as in claim 19, further comprising an attachment mechanism that is removably securable to the securing loop. 